At the start of our journey, we began looking for opportunities within our school where we could utilize community partners within our lessons. Before beginning our STEAM journey we worked with companies like Georgia Pacific, having employees teach our students about financial planning for their future and the different types of career opportunities companies in this area offered. We also held career days, where speakers from all over our community rotated through classrooms talking to students about different jobs in areas ranging from being a fire inspector to farming. In more recent years we have begun to incorporate community partners to not only hold professional development for our teachers but to also work with students in hands-on STEAM learning activities. 

Over time, our opportunities to expand community partnerships in the classrooms have significantly increased. These partnerships have developed into stakeholder relationships, which readily offer educational opportunities for all students. Our partnerships have diversified to include local businesses, businesses from outside the county, parents, and other schools in our county.